Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman

Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman’s professional career started in 2006 as a Researcher at the Plant Breeding Laboratory, College of Agriculture, Kochi University, India. He joined the Africa Rice Center, a member of the consortium of international agriculture research centers, as a junior molecular biologist in 2010–2011. During this period, he employed high-throughput molecular analysis techniques to transfer genomic regions linked to salinity tolerance to African mega-cultivars. Moreover, he received training at the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines, for genome mapping and detection of genomic regions linked to stress resistance in plants. Notably, during his PhD studies, he identified genomic regions linked to water shortage stress in rice.

Furthermore, he continued his postdoctoral studies at the Research institute for Development (IRD) in Montpellier, France (2016–2017). During this time, he conducted next-generation analysis using capture sequencing technology for the wild rice (Oryza gallebrima) and the cultivated rice (Oryza sativa). He conducted further postdoctoral studies (2019–2020) at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing, China, using genome editing technology to develop high-quality and disease-resistant rice genotypes. At the national level, he has been engaged in the development of different genotypes resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Dr. Mohamed's research interest mainly focuses on plant molecular genetics with a focus on utilizing biotechnological tools to develop and enhance plant resistance to climate change-related stressors.